Boult, spinners set up first Test well-poised

Abu Dhabi: New Zealand, trailing by 74 runs in the first innings, were 56-1 at close on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Skipper Kane Williamson was batting on 27 and with him opener Jeet Raval on 26 not out as New Zealand still trail by 18 runs with nine second innings wickets intact.

Resuming at 59-2 Pakistan lost overnight batsmen Sohail for 38 and Azhar for 22 in the space of just six balls at the same score of 91.

Sohail was the more confident of the two, having hit four boundaries but was caught at short mid-wicket by Tom Latham to a loose shot off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi's low full toss.

Azhar, who added 64 for the third wicket with Sohail, was dropped by Jeet Raval off Trent Boult when on 19 and was again lucky two runs later when given not out as the same bowler reviewed for a leg-before decision.